Boy allegedly abandoned by dad is 'flourishing'

HASTINGS, Minn. — The woman caring for her 11-year-old nephew whose father is accused of abandoning him says the boy is "flourishing" and is busy with school, sports and therapy.

Sebastian Cross' mother is also back in his life. She has been granted visitation rights after losing parental custody when he was a toddler. The boy's father, Steven Cross, was in Dakota County court Wednesday to face a charge of child neglect. He's accused of leaving his son a note July 18, then taking off for California.

Cross asked the judge to visit his son. The judge said that would be decided if Cross is released from jail.

The Star Tribune says (http://bit.ly/oWrDxo ) Sebastian stayed with neighbors for more than a month after his father disappeared. Since then, the boy's aunt, Kimmie Porter of Minneapolis, has cared for him.